10 minute read
Energy
years of Climate Action
Since 2009 Climate Week NYC has grown from a small gathering of business and government leaders to becoming the largest public climate event in the world.
Adam Lake, Head of Climate Week, explores the journey it has been on and how it has been influenced by global changes in how we all tackle climate change. Climate Week NYC has taken place every year over the last fourteen years during the third week of September to coincide with the United Nations General Assembly. The idea was simple - go to where global leaders from business and government will gather and create a platform where those committed to tackling climate change can collaborate, commit, and compete with each other with ever increasing levels of ambition. It’s a model that worked, and still forms the basis of the week to this day. As public support for taking climate action has grown, so too has the engagement and ambition we have seen from those in a position to make change happen. But we know that progress isn’t being made fast enough, not on a national level, or an international one. For too long the only people who had a voice on the issue of climate change were those whose voices were already being heard. And as important and critical as those voices are in Getting It Done, a whole part of the picture has been missing for too long. Local climate activism has been moving the climate fight forward for years but the role it plays now in guiding the global narrative has changed. Grassroots campaigners, youth activists and marginalized groups from around the world shouldn’t just get a seat at the table, they play a core role in setting what the agenda should be. The influence of those most being impacted by climate change is having an increasing role in how we take on this challenge. Listening and learning from those who have been on the frontlines for decades will help us shift the dial. We first saw the momentum shift at scale in 2014 when Climate Week NYC partnered with the United Nations Climate Summit. As Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and US Secretary of State John Kerry joined the likes of Apple’s Tim Cook from and Paris Agreement architect Christiana Figueres at our Opening Ceremony, over 400,000 activists took to the streets of Manhattan as part of the Climate People’s March.
Left: Bill Gates and Helen Clarkson at Climate Week NYC 2021 Top: US Climate Special Envoy John Kerry at Climate Week 2019 Above: Advertising for Climate Week NYC Above right: New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern speaking at Climate Week NYC 2018 Right: Richard Branson, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Tony Blair give a Climate Group press conference in July 2006
For the first time Climate Week NYC hosted over 150 events led by leaders and volunteers from around NYC. Since 2014, we have seen the amount of events taking place grow as a new generation join this work every year. The program we have this week brings together the most diverse and eclectic selection of events you’ll find thanks to the creativity and commitment those most impacted and affected. We are seeing more voices and they are getting louder and clearer. Spread out over the five boroughs, these events galvanize climate action. One of the most exciting developments in recent years is the merging together of climate activism and climate action. In 2019 the Youth Climate March came together as the Secretary General’s Climate Action Summit showcased global leadership on a scale never seen before. But what was even more inspirational was what happened next. 2020 will forever be remembered as the year a pandemic hit the world and impacted our way of living in unimaginable ways. But amongst the suffering and sacrifice it also showed
Clockwise from left: Climate Group rings the closing bell at Nasdaq, 2019 NYC buildings go green Climate Night, hosted by the US Late Night TV shows in 2021 Climate Week NYC’s 10 year anniversary messaging that we do have the ability to make massive changes to protect ourselves and each other. It also showed that where there is a will there is a way – the many levers pulled by governments to meet the challenge brought hope to many in the climate community as evidence that unprecedented action is possible. 2020 was the first ever Climate Week NYC that was 100% virtual, but despite the inability of being able to come together in person we found a way to keep the action happening. It was the year we broke every record in participation both in New York and around the world with over 500 events. The restrictions did not restrict the determination to take action. We’ve had a takeover of late night TV, participation from royalty, amazing art installations across the city and practical action on the streets. But behind all of this, the key to success of Climate Week NYC is our unwavering belief that bringing people together to find solutions is what makes the real difference. Those marching yesterday really do become those who will lead tomorrow, our hope is that by creating a platform to bring people together we can help speed up and strengthen the journey to a net zero world.
Under2 at Climate Week NYC
Every year states and regions of the Under2 Coalition come together to share knowledge and first-hand experience of climate action – and to challenge the international community to increase its ambition and play its part in tackling climate change. We call this the Under2 General Assembly and it unites governments from across the world in pursuit of net zero emissions and a more sustainable future. Last year we met in Glasgow during COP26. At this time our members not only committed to becoming a net zero coalition by 2050 at the latest, but laid out the actions they would be taking before 2030 to make this a reality. These actions came from a broad range of sectors - from agriculture to energy, industry and transport - in recognition of the interconnected challenges we face and the solutions that already exist to meet them.
In 2022 the General Assembly is taking place during Climate Week NYC. This is an important moment for us after years of disruption from Covid-19 and provides an invaluable opportunity to connect governments with international businesses and multilateral organisations in one place. The climate crisis is too big for any group to tackle alone: it needs all of us pulling in the same direction. State and regional governments can provide the conditions for businesses to decarbonise their supply chains. At the same time businesses can support government efforts to reduce emissions, improve air quality and regenerate nature. Nehmat Kaur, Head of Global Government Relations for Climate Group said: “Climate Week NYC is the biggest climate event of the year and the Under2 Coalition is more involved than ever before. 50 states, regions and provinces are coming to New York this month to show their progress on climate and to find new ways of meeting the challenges we all face. COP26 laid the foundations for greater action across every country and every sector. Now’s the time to realise that ambition and show what we can achieve when we work together” Climate Week NYC enables vital conversations on difficult subjects. As well as the General Assembly, our government members will be able to attend events and debates aimed at finding solutions that work. Some of these will be hosted by Climate Group and others will come from of a broad range of groups that share our determination to take meaningful action. Crucially, there will also be voices representing different parts of the world and acknowledging the different challenges they face. This means looking to a cleaner future that is fair and just for everyone. From cutting emissions to adapting to extreme weather, the Under2 Coalition will echo the call of Climate Week NYC in 2022 to ‘Get It Done’.
Under2 Events
Visit www.theclimategroup.org/statesand-regions-climate-week-nycfor a full list of Under2 Coalition events
Act local, tackle global: how just transitions in emerging economies can help meet global climate targets
Tuesday 20 September 13:00 - 14:00 ET
A just, equitable and fast transition is needed in emerging economies to help meet global climate commitments set by countries across the world. Can local solutions for a just transition in emerging economies solve the global equity and climate crisis, ensuring no one gets left behind?
This session is part of The Hub Live at Climate Week NYC, from September 20-21. Get more info on the other sessions in The Hub Live over September 20-21, as well as the sessions happening as part of our Opening Ceremony on September 19. www.climateweeknyc.org/events/act-local-tackle-global-how-justtransitions-emerging-economies-can-help-meet-global-climate
Break the ICE: the role global partnerships play in driving the zero emission vehicle transition
Wednesday, September 21, 2022 09:00 AM - 10:00 AM ET Ambitious targets require innovative action. Partnerships between business and government can play a crucial role in driving the transition away from internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. Join us to hear how our partners are driving the zeroemission vehicle transition together. This session is part of The Hub Live at Climate Week NYC, from September 20-21. Get more info on the other sessions in The Hub Live over September 20-21, as well as the sessions happening as part of our Opening Ceremony on September 19. Speakers • Dr Mónica Araya
Distinguished Fellow at ClimateWorks - Drive Electric Campaign • Stuart Greig
Director of Transport Scotland’s
Low Carbon Economy Directorate at the Government of Scotland • Laura Hendricks
Chief Executive Officer at Transdev US
www.climateweeknyc.org/events/ break-ice-role-global-partnershipsplay-driving-zero-emission-vehicletransition
Financing for a fairer future in Latin America
Tuesday, September 20, 2022 02:30 PM - 03:30 PM ET
Join us as we bring together governments and financiers to explore possibilities in Latin America where there is strong – and growing – interest in net zero investments in energy, transport, waste and agriculture.
www.climateweeknyc.org/events/ financing-fairer-future-latin-america
Unlocking collaboration across the Americas
Wednesday, September 21, 2022 09:00 AM - 10:00 AM ET States, regions, and businesses across the Americas face common challenges when addressing and implementing climate policy. Shared borders, geography, and trade agreements mean that successful climate policies are dependent on collaboration. This session aims to address these common challenges and highlight potential shared solutions by breaking down silos between government, business, and other key stakeholders. In this way we can enable meaningful collaboration and identify key target areas for long-lasting and sustainable public-private partnership.
www.climateweeknyc.org/ events/unlocking-collaborationacross-americas
We need to talk about methane: why net zero isn’t just about CO2
Tuesday, September 20, 2022 09:00 AM - 10:00 AM ET
Reducing methane emissions might be the single most effective strategy to limit global warming – so why do we mainly talk in terms of carbon emissions? We know methane matters. What action is needed to deliver on the Global Methane Pledge agreed at COP26? And can we go further? www.climateweeknyc.org/events/we-need-talk-about-methane-whynet-zero-isnt-just-about-co2
